Presidents Addressing Students

In recent days much has been made of President Obama's speech to address students across the country. Regrettably, in the words of Shakespeare "this is much ado about...." Most citizens forget that both Presidents Reagan and Bush addressed students. In 2002, President Bush addressed students in a similar pep talk about volunteering and responsibility. Sadly, he too was critiqued from the left. Somethings need not be ruined or capitalized on for political points on any side of the political debate. As a registered independent, Evangelical pastor, formal school teacher, and someone who believes in education I am saddened by the politicking that goes on by both the left and the right on this issue.

Of course, President's should speak to students on the importance of education and doing well in school. When Presidents are encouraging students to do well I am all for it. These are not policy speeches these are speeches by the democratically-elected leader of the country. Having read both the Department of Education's notes on President Obama's speech (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html) and excerpts from President Reagan's and Bush's speech I say "Shame on anyone who is making this out to be something it is not." If these were policy speeches to impressionable youth I would decry them. Being that these are presidential pep talks our children hearing from their president (be they Republican or Democrat) to work hard and succeed is a good practice. Those who decried Bush's speech are just as responsible as those doing the same on the other side to Obama.

Here are two suggestions to begin with:
1) Start with the facts: It is sad state of affairs for people to state uninformed opinions and comments while ignoring the facts. This is not the first time a President has done this and this is not a policy speech. Please read and inform yourself before commenting and opining. There is nothing more dangerous than uninformed opinions and rhetoric that does not do the hard work of looking up all the facts.

2) Commitment to not demonizing people when we disagree: As a Christian I say, "Enough is Enough" of demonizing rhetoric. Let's return to civil disagreement and stay away from hyperbole, falsities, and divisive talk that does not seek healthy solutions and the common good for all. Let's disagree respectfully even if with passion.